U.S. patent application number 13/404550 was filed with the patent office on 2012-08-30 for computer-readable storage medium having stored therein information processing program, information processor, information processing system, and information processing method.
This patent application is currently assigned to NINTENDO CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Yuki Mizuguchi, Tetsuya Nakata, Satoshi NAKAYAMA, Tooru Ooe.
Application Number | 20120220251 13/404550 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46719328 |
Filed Date | 2012-08-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120220251 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
NAKAYAMA; Satoshi ; et
al. |
August 30, 2012 |
COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING STORED THEREIN INFORMATION
PROCESSING PROGRAM, INFORMATION PROCESSOR, INFORMATION PROCESSING
SYSTEM, AND INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD
Abstract
A game apparatus receives signals from a plurality of game
apparatuses. When the game apparatus has received signals from the
plurality of game apparatuses, the game apparatus sorts the signals
by apparatus and calculates an average RSSI value of the signals
for each of the respective apparatuses. The game apparatus further
calculates an average value of the calculated average RSSI values
of the respective apparatuses. Then, the game apparatus determines
a single icon to be displayed based on the calculated average value
and causes the icon to be displayed on a screen.
Inventors: |
NAKAYAMA; Satoshi;
(Kyoto-shi, JP) ; Mizuguchi; Yuki; (Kyoto-shi,
JP) ; Ooe; Tooru; (Kyoto-shi, JP) ; Nakata;
Tetsuya; (Kyoto-shi, JP) |
Assignee: |
NINTENDO CO., LTD.
Kyoto
JP
|
Family ID: |
46719328 |
Appl. No.: |
13/404550 |
Filed: |
February 24, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
455/226.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04B 17/318
20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/226.1 |
International
Class: |
H04B 1/38 20060101
H04B001/38 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 25, 2011 |
JP |
2011-040937 |
Claims
1. A computer-readable storage medium having stored therein an
information processing program executed on a computer of an
information processor having a wireless communication function, the
program causing the computer to execute: calculating a reception
condition of a signal transmitted from each of a plurality of
apparatuses having a wireless communication function; and
calculating a comprehensive reception condition representing the
respective reception conditions of the signals from the plurality
of apparatuses comprehensively by using the respective reception
conditions having been calculated.
2. The computer-readable storage medium having stored therein the
information processing program according to claim 1, wherein values
that respectively represent the calculated reception conditions are
averaged, and thereby the comprehensive reception condition is
calculated.
3. The computer-readable storage medium having stored therein the
information processing program according to claim 1, the program
further causing the computer to execute correcting the calculated
comprehensive reception condition based on the respective reception
conditions having been calculated.
4. The computer-readable storage medium having stored therein the
information processing program according to claim 3, the program
further causing the computer to execute determining whether each of
the values that represent the calculated respective reception
conditions is smaller than or equal to a predetermined reference
value, wherein the comprehensive reception condition is corrected
in accordance with a result of the determination.
5. The computer-readable storage medium having stored therein the
information processing program according to claim 4, wherein the
comprehensive reception condition is corrected when there is any
apparatus, among the plurality of apparatuses, with respect to
which a result of the determination is affirmative.
6. The computer-readable storage medium having stored therein the
information processing program according to claim 1, the program
further causing the computer to execute measuring a time from
reception of a signal from an apparatus to next reception of a
signal from the apparatus, wherein when the measured time is longer
than or equal to a predetermined time period, the comprehensive
reception condition is calculated, excluding the apparatus with
respect to which the predetermined time period has elapsed.
7. The computer-readable storage medium having stored therein the
information processing program according to claim 1, wherein the
comprehensive reception condition is calculated by using the lowest
one of the values that represent the respective reception
conditions.
8. The computer-readable storage medium having stored therein the
information processing program according to claim 1, wherein the
comprehensive reception condition is calculated based on a ratio of
apparatuses with respect to which the values that represent the
respective reception conditions are greater than or equal to a
predetermined reference value.
9. The computer-readable storage medium having stored therein the
information processing program according to claim 1, wherein any of
the respective reception conditions is selected time-sequentially,
and the comprehensive reception condition is calculated by using
the selected reception condition.
10. The computer-readable storage medium having stored therein the
information processing program according to claim 1, wherein each
of the calculated respective reception conditions is assigned
weighting and the weighted reception conditions are averaged, and
thereby the comprehensive reception condition is calculated.
11. The computer-readable storage medium having stored therein the
information processing program according to claim 10, wherein the
reception conditions are assigned weighting so that greater
weighting is assigned to the reception condition of a specific
apparatus among the plurality of apparatuses than those of the
others of the plurality of apparatuses, and the values representing
the weighted respective reception conditions are averaged, and
thereby the comprehensive reception condition is calculated.
12. The computer-readable storage medium having stored therein the
information processing program according to claim 10, wherein the
respective reception conditions are calculated and a variance of
values representing the reception conditions of signals transmitted
from each of the respective apparatuses is calculated, and each of
the respective apparatuses is assigned weighting in accordance with
the calculated variance for the apparatus and the values
representing the weighted respective reception conditions are
averaged, and thereby the comprehensive reception condition is
calculated.
13. The computer-readable storage medium having stored therein the
information processing program according to claim 1, wherein the
reception conditions of the signals transmitted from the plurality
of apparatuses are sorted by apparatus and by signal type, and the
reception condition is calculated for each sorted group.
14. The computer-readable storage medium having stored therein the
information processing program according to claim 13, wherein
weighting is assigned in accordance with the signal type and the
weighted values representing the respective reception conditions
are averaged, and thereby the comprehensive reception condition is
calculated.
15. The computer-readable storage medium having stored therein the
information processing program according to claim 13, wherein each
of the values representing the respective reception conditions is
quantized based on a different reference depending on the signal
type, and the comprehensive reception condition is calculated by
using the respective quantized values.
16. The computer-readable storage medium having stored therein the
information processing program according to claim 1, the program
further causing the computer to execute transmitting a
predetermined signal to at least one of the plurality of
apparatuses and receiving a response for the signal.
17. The computer-readable storage medium having stored therein the
information processing program according to claim 16, wherein the
predetermined signal is transmitted to an apparatus, among the
plurality of apparatuses, from which no signal has been received
for a predetermined time period so that a response for the
predetermined signal is received from the apparatus.
18. The computer-readable storage medium having stored therein the
information processing program according to claim 1, the program
further causing the computer to execute notifying a user of
information representing the comprehensive reception condition.
19. An information processor having a wireless communication
function, the information processor comprising: a first calculation
unit which calculates a reception condition of a signal transmitted
from each of a plurality of apparatuses having a wireless
communication function; and a second calculation unit which
integrates the respective reception conditions calculated by the
first calculation unit and calculates a comprehensive reception
condition representing the respective reception conditions of the
signals from the plurality of apparatuses comprehensively.
20. An information processing system which conducts wireless
communication, the information processing system comprising: a
first calculation unit which calculates a reception condition of a
signal transmitted from each of a plurality of apparatuses having a
wireless communication function; and a second calculation unit
which integrates the respective reception conditions calculated by
the first calculation unit and calculates a comprehensive reception
condition representing the respective reception conditions of the
signals from the plurality of apparatuses comprehensively.
21. An information processing method comprising: calculating a
reception condition of a signal transmitted from each of a
plurality of apparatuses having a wireless communication function;
and integrating the calculated respective reception conditions and
calculating a comprehensive reception condition that
comprehensively represents the respective reception conditions of
the signals from the plurality of apparatuses.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No.
2011-040937, filed on Feb. 25, 2011, is incorporated herein by
reference.
FIELD
[0002] The technology disclosed herein relates to information
processors having a wireless communication function, information
processing programs executed on the information processors,
information processing systems, and information processing
methods.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY
[0003] Conventionally, there has been an apparatus which displays
the reception condition of radio waves from another apparatus which
is wirelessly communicable with the apparatus. For example, there
is a conventional apparatus that receives radio waves from an
access point of wireless LAN, calculates the strength of the radio
waves, and displays the reception condition based on the calculated
strength of the radio waves.
[0004] However, the above conventional apparatus is not assumed to
communicate with a plurality of apparatuses and is not configured
to collectively display the reception conditions of the plurality
of apparatuses.
[0005] Therefore, an object of the exemplary embodiment is to
provide an information processing technique that allows calculation
of the reception condition of signals from a plurality of
apparatuses.
[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the exemplary
embodiment has the following features.
[0007] The exemplary embodiment is an information processing
program executed on a computer of an information processor having a
wireless communication function. The information processing program
causes the computer to execute: calculating a reception condition
of a signal transmitted from each of a plurality of apparatuses
having a wireless communication function; and calculating a
comprehensive reception condition representing the respective
reception conditions of the signals from the plurality of
apparatuses comprehensively by using the respective reception
conditions having been calculated.
[0008] According to the above, the reception condition of each of
the apparatuses can be calculated and a comprehensive reception
condition that comprehensively represents the reception conditions
calculated for the respective apparatuses can be calculated.
Accordingly, for example, by displaying an image representing the
comprehensive reception condition on a display screen, a user can
know the reception condition of signals from the plurality of
apparatuses by a single image.
[0009] In another configuration, values that respectively represent
the calculated reception conditions may be averaged, and thereby
the comprehensive reception condition may be calculated.
[0010] According to the above, an average of the reception
conditions of the respective apparatuses can be calculated.
Accordingly, an average reception condition of the plurality of
apparatuses can be calculated.
[0011] In another configuration, the information processing program
may further cause the computer to execute correcting the calculated
comprehensive reception condition based on the respective reception
conditions having been calculated.
[0012] According to the above, the calculated comprehensive
reception condition can be corrected.
[0013] In another configuration, the computer may be further caused
to execute determining whether each of the values that represent
the calculated respective reception conditions is smaller than or
equal to a predetermined reference value. The comprehensive
reception condition is corrected in accordance with a result of the
determination.
[0014] According to the above, whether each reception condition is
smaller than or equal to a reference value is determined and a
result of the determination can be reflected in the comprehensive
reception condition.
[0015] In another configuration, the comprehensive reception
condition may be corrected when there is any apparatus, among the
plurality of apparatuses, with respect to which a result of the
determination is affirmative.
[0016] According to the above, the comprehensive reception
condition can be corrected when there is any apparatus with respect
to which a value representing a reception condition is smaller than
or equal to a reference value.
[0017] In another configuration, the computer may be further caused
to execute measuring a time from reception of a signal from an
apparatus to next reception of a signal from the apparatus. When
the measured time is longer than or equal to a predetermined time
period, the comprehensive reception condition is calculated,
excluding the apparatus with respect to which the predetermined
time period has elapsed.
[0018] According to the above, the comprehensive reception
condition can be calculated excluding an apparatus with respect to
which a predetermined time period has elapsed from a time of
reception of a signal. Accordingly, the comprehensive reception
condition can be calculated by using, for example, only apparatuses
that are currently in communication.
[0019] In another configuration, the comprehensive reception
condition may be calculated by using the lowest one of the values
that represent the respective reception conditions.
[0020] According to the above, the comprehensive reception
condition can be calculated based on an apparatus in the poorest
reception condition.
[0021] In another configuration, the comprehensive reception
condition may be calculated based on a ratio of apparatuses with
respect to which the values that represent the respective reception
conditions are greater than or equal to a predetermined reference
value.
[0022] According to the above, the comprehensive reception
condition can be calculated based on a ratio of apparatus with
respect to which values representing reception conditions are
greater than or equal to a predetermined reference value.
[0023] In another configuration, any of the respective reception
conditions is selected time-sequentially, and the comprehensive
reception condition may be calculated by using the selected
reception condition.
[0024] According to the above, any of the respective reception
conditions having been calculated is selected time-sequentially,
and the comprehensive reception condition can be calculated by
using the selected reception condition.
[0025] In another configuration, each of the calculated respective
reception conditions is assigned weighting and the weighted
reception conditions are averaged, and thereby the comprehensive
reception condition may be calculated.
[0026] According to the above, the reception conditions are
respectively weighted and the weighted reception conditions can be
averaged.
[0027] In another configuration, the reception conditions are
assigned weighting so that greater weighting is assigned to the
reception condition of a specific apparatus among the plurality of
apparatuses than those of the others of the plurality of
apparatuses, and the values representing the weighted respective
reception conditions are averaged, and thereby the comprehensive
reception condition may be calculated.
[0028] According to the above, the comprehensive reception
condition can be calculated by, for example, assigning greater
weighting to an apparatus with a higher degree of importance.
[0029] In another configuration, the reception conditions of
signals transmitted from the plurality of apparatuses are sorted by
apparatus and by signal type, and the reception condition for each
sorted group may be calculated.
[0030] According to the above, each reception condition sorted not
only by apparatus but also by signal type can be calculated. For
example, reception conditions may be sorted based on whether each
of received signals is broadcast data or unicast data.
[0031] In another configuration, weighting is assigned in
accordance with the signal type and the weighted values
representing the respective reception conditions are averaged, and
thereby the comprehensive reception condition may be
calculated.
[0032] According to the above, weighting can be assigned in
accordance with a signal type and an average of the reception
conditions can be calculated.
[0033] In another configuration, the information processing program
may further cause the computer to execute transmitting a
predetermined signal to at least one of the plurality of
apparatuses and receiving a response for the signal.
[0034] According to the above, a predetermined signal can be
transmitted to the other apparatuses and a response for the signal
can be received. Accordingly, for example, a signal can be
mandatorily received from an apparatus from/to which data is not
frequently received/transmitted.
[0035] In another configuration, the predetermined signal may be
transmitted to an apparatus, among the plurality of apparatuses,
from which no signal has been received for a predetermined time
period so that a response for the predetermined signal is received
from the apparatus.
[0036] According to the above, a response can be received from an
apparatus from which no signal has been received for a
predetermined time period, and thus the reception condition of the
signal from the apparatus can be reflected in the comprehensive
reception condition.
[0037] In another configuration, the information processing program
may further cause the computer to execute notifying a user of
information representing the comprehensive reception condition.
[0038] According to the above, the user can be informed of the
comprehensive reception condition. For example, the user can be
informed of the reception condition by displaying an image
representing the comprehensive reception condition on a display
screen.
[0039] Another embodiment may be implemented in the form of an
information processor which realizes the above features. Further,
another embodiment may be configured as an information processing
system in which a plurality of elements which respectively realize
the above features. The information processing system may be
configured as a single device or may be configured as a plurality
of devices. Another embodiment may be implemented in the form of an
information processing method.
[0040] According to the exemplary embodiment, the reception
condition of signals from a plurality of apparatuses can be
calculated.
[0041] These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of
the exemplary embodiment will become more apparent from the
following detailed description of the exemplary embodiment when
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0042] FIG. 1 is a front view of a non-limiting example of a game
apparatus 10 in an opened state;
[0043] FIG. 2A is a left side view of the non-limiting game
apparatus 10 in a closed state;
[0044] FIG. 2B is a front view of the non-limiting game apparatus
10 in the closed state;
[0045] FIG. 2C is a right side view of the non-limiting game
apparatus 10 in the closed state;
[0046] FIG. 2D is a rear view of the non-limiting game apparatus 10
in the closed state;
[0047] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a non-limiting
example of an internal configuration of the game apparatus 10;
[0048] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a non-limiting example of a
network comprising a plurality of game apparatuses 10 according to
the exemplary embodiment;
[0049] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a non-limiting example of
an icon 50 representing a comprehensive reception condition
displayed on an upper LCD 22 of the game apparatus 10 according to
the exemplary embodiment;
[0050] FIG. 6 is a non-limiting example of a functional block
diagram of the game apparatus 10 according to the exemplary
embodiment;
[0051] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a non-limiting example of a
memory map of a memory (e.g. a main memory 32) of the game
apparatus 10;
[0052] FIG. 8 is a non-limiting example of a flow chart
illustrating a flow of a display process executed by a game
apparatus 10A; and
[0053] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a non-limiting example of a
memory map of the game apparatus 10 in another embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF NON-LIMITING EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS
[0054] (Structure of Game Apparatus)
[0055] Hereinafter, a game apparatus according to an exemplary
embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a front view showing an
external view of a game apparatus 10 in an opened state. FIG. 2A is
a left side view of the game apparatus 10 in a closed state, FIG.
2B is a front view of the game apparatus 10 in the closed state,
FIG. 2C is a right side view of the game apparatus 10 in the closed
state, and FIG. 2D is a rear view of the game apparatus 10 in the
closed state. The game apparatus 10 is a hand-held game apparatus,
and is configured to be foldable as shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 2. FIG.
1 shows the game apparatus 10 in the opened state and FIG. 2A to 2D
each show the game apparatus 10 in the closed state. The game
apparatus 10 is able to take an image by an imaging section,
display the taken image on a screen, and store data of the taken
image. The game apparatus 10 can execute a game program which is
stored in an exchangeable memory card or a game program which is
received from a server or another game apparatus, and can display,
on the screen, an image generated by computer graphics processing,
such as an image taken by a virtual camera set in a virtual space,
for example.
[0056] Initially, an external structure of the game apparatus 10
will be described with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 2. The game
apparatus 10 includes a lower housing 11 and an upper housing 21 as
shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 2. The lower housing 11 and the upper
housing 21 are connected to each other so as to be openable and
closable (foldable).
[0057] (Description of Lower Housing)
[0058] Initially, a structure of the lower housing 11 will be
described. As shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 2, a lower LCD (Liquid
Crystal Display) 12, a touch panel 13, operation buttons 14A to
14L, an analog stick 15, an LED 16A and an LED 16B, an insertion
opening 17, and a microphone hole 18 are provided in the lower
housing 11. Hereinafter, these components will be described in
detail.
[0059] As shown in FIG. 1, the lower LCD 12 is accommodated in the
lower housing 11. The number of pixels of the lower LCD 12 may be,
for example, 320 dots.times.240 dots (the horizontal line.times.the
vertical line). The lower LCD 12 is a display device for displaying
an image in a planar manner (not in a stereoscopically visible
manner), which is different from the upper LCD 22 described below.
Although an LCD is used as a display device in the exemplary
embodiment, any other display device such as a display device using
an EL (Electro Luminescence) or the like, may be used. In addition,
a display device having any resolution may be used as the lower LCD
12.
[0060] As shown in FIG. 1, the game apparatus 10 includes the touch
panel 13 as an input device. The touch panel 13 is mounted on the
screen of the lower LCD 12. In the exemplary embodiment, the touch
panel 13 is, but is not limited to, a resistive film type touch
panel. A touch panel of any type such as electrostatic capacitance
type may be used. In the exemplary embodiment, the touch panel 13
has the same resolution (detection accuracy) as that of the lower
LCD 12. However, the resolution of the touch panel 13 and the
resolution of the lower LCD 12 may not necessarily be the same.
Further, the insertion opening 17 (indicated by dashed line in FIG.
1 and FIG. 2D) is provided on the upper side surface of the lower
housing 11. The insertion opening 17 is used for accommodating a
touch pen 28 which is used for performing an operation on the touch
panel 13. Although an input on the touch panel 13 is usually made
by using the touch pen 28, a finger of a user may be used for
making an input on the touch panel 13, in addition to the touch pen
28.
[0061] The operation buttons 14A to 14L are each an input device
for making a predetermined input. As shown in FIG. 1, among the
operation buttons 14A to 14L, a cross button 14A (a direction input
button 14A), a button 14B, a button 14C, a button 14D, a button
14E, a power button 14F, a selection button 14J, a HOME button 14K,
and a start button 14L are provided on the inner side surface (main
surface) of the lower housing 11. The cross button 14A has a cross
shape, and includes buttons for indicating an upward, a downward, a
leftward, or a rightward direction. The buttons 14A to 14E, the
selection button 14J, the HOME button 14K, and the start button 14L
are assigned functions, respectively, as necessary, in accordance
with a program executed by the game apparatus 10. For example, the
cross button 14A is used for selection operation and the like, and
the operation buttons 14B to 14E are used for, for example,
determination operation and cancellation operation. The power
button 14F is used for powering the game apparatus 10 on/off.
[0062] The analog stick 15 is a device for indicating a direction.
The analog stick 15 has a top, corresponding to a key, which is
configured to slide parallel to the inner side surface of the lower
housing 11. The analog stick 15 acts in accordance with a program
executed by the game apparatus 10. For example, when a game in
which a predetermined object emerges in a three-dimensional virtual
space is executed by the game apparatus 10, the analog stick 15
acts as an input device for moving the predetermined object in the
three-dimensional virtual space. In this case, the predetermined
object is moved in a direction in which the top corresponding to
the key of the analog stick 15 slides. As the analog stick 15, a
component which enables an analog input by being tilted by a
predetermined amount, in any direction, such as the upward, the
downward, the rightward, the leftward, or the diagonal direction,
may be used.
[0063] Further, the microphone hole 18 is provided on the inner
side surface of the lower housing 11. Under the microphone hole 18,
a microphone 42 (see FIG. 3) is provided as a sound input device
described below, and the microphone 42 detects for a sound from the
outside of the game apparatus 10.
[0064] As shown in FIG. 2B and FIG. 2D, an L button 14G and an R
button 14H are provided on the upper side surface of the lower
housing 11. The L button 14G and the R button 14H act as shutter
buttons (imaging instruction buttons) of the imaging section, for
example. Further, as shown in FIG. 2A, a sound volume button 14I is
provided on the left side surface of the lower housing 11. The
sound volume button 14I is used for adjusting a sound volume of a
speaker of the game apparatus 10.
[0065] As shown in FIG. 2A, a cover section 11C is provided on the
left side surface of the lower housing 11 so as to be openable and
closable. Inside the cover section 11C, a connector (not shown) is
provided for electrically connecting between the game apparatus 10
and an external data storage memory 45. The external data storage
memory 45 is detachably connected to the connector. The external
data storage memory 45 is used for, for example, recording
(storing) data of an image taken by the game apparatus 10.
[0066] Further, as shown in FIG. 2D, an insertion opening 11D,
through which an external memory 44 having a game program stored
therein is inserted, is provided on the upper side surface of the
lower housing 11, and a connector (not shown) for electrically
connecting between the game apparatus 10 and the external memory 44
in a detachable manner is provided inside the insertion opening
11D. A predetermined game program is executed by connecting the
external memory 44 to the game apparatus 10.
[0067] Further, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2C, the first LED 16A
for notifying a user of an ON/OFF state of a power supply of the
game apparatus 10 is provided on the lower side surface of the
lower housing 11, and the second LED 16B for notifying a user of an
establishment state of a wireless communication of the game
apparatus 10 is provided on the right side surface of the lower
housing 11. The game apparatus 10 can make wireless communication
with other devices, and the second LED 16B is lit up when the
function of the wireless communication is enabled. The game
apparatus 10 has a function of connecting to a wireless LAN in a
method based on, for example, IEEE 802.11.b/g standard. A wireless
switch 19 for enabling/disabling the function of the wireless
communication is provided on the right side surface of the lower
housing 11 (see FIG. 2C).
[0068] A rechargeable battery (not shown) acting as a power supply
for the game apparatus 10 is accommodated in the lower housing 11,
and the battery can be charged through a terminal provided on a
side surface (for example, the upper side surface) of the lower
housing 11.
[0069] (Description of Upper Housing)
[0070] Next, a structure of the upper housing 21 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 2, in the upper housing 21, an upper LCD
(Liquid Crystal Display) 22, an outer imaging section 23 (an outer
imaging section (left) 23a and an outer imaging section (right)
23b), an inner imaging section 24, a 3D adjustment switch 25, and a
3D indicator 26 are provided. Hereinafter, these components will be
described in detail.
[0071] As shown in FIG. 1, the upper LCD 22 is accommodated in the
upper housing 21. The number of pixels of the upper LCD 22 may be,
for example, 800 dots.times.240 dots (the horizontal line.times.the
vertical line). Although, in the exemplary embodiment, the upper
LCD 22 is an LCD, a display device using, for example, an EL
(Electro Luminescence), or the like may be used. In addition, a
display device having any resolution may be used as the upper LCD
22.
[0072] The upper LCD 22 is a display device capable of displaying a
stereoscopically visible image. Further, in the exemplary
embodiment, a left-eye image and a right-eye image are displayed by
using substantially the same display area. Specifically, the upper
LCD 22 is a display device using a method in which the left-eye
image and the right-eye image are alternately displayed in the
horizontal direction in predetermined units (for example, every
other line). Alternatively, the upper LCD 22 may be a display
device using a method in which the left-eye image and the right-eye
image are alternately displayed for a predetermined time period and
the left-eye image and the right-eye image are viewed by the user's
left eye and the right eye, respectively, by using glasses. In the
exemplary embodiment, the upper LCD 22 is a display device capable
of displaying an image which is stereoscopically visible by the
naked eye, and a lenticular lens type display device or a parallax
barrier type display device is used which enables the left-eye
image and the right eye image, which are alternately displayed in
the horizontal direction, to be separately viewed by the left eye
and right eye, respectively. In the exemplary embodiment, the upper
LCD 22 of a parallax barrier type is used. The upper LCD 22
displays, by using the right-eye image and the left eye image, an
image (a stereoscopic image) which is stereoscopically visible by
the naked eye. That is, the upper LCD 22 allows a user to view the
left-eye image with her/his left eye, and the right-eye image with
her/his right eye by utilizing a parallax barrier, so that a
stereoscopic image (a stereoscopically visible image) exerting a
stereoscopic effect on a user can be displayed. Further, the upper
LCD 22 may disable the parallax barrier. When the parallax barrier
is disabled, an image can be displayed in a planar manner (it is
possible to display a planar visible image which is different from
a stereoscopically visible image as described above. That is, a
display mode is used in which the same displayed image is viewed
with the left eye and the right eye). Thus, the upper LCD 22 is a
display device capable of switching between a stereoscopic display
mode for displaying a stereoscopically visible image and a planar
display mode (for displaying a planar visible image) for displaying
an image in a planar manner. The switching of the display mode is
performed by the 3D adjustment switch 25 described below.
[0073] Two imaging sections (23a and 23b) provided on the outer
side surface (the back surface reverse of the main surface on which
the upper LCD 22 is provided) 21D of the upper housing 21 are
generically referred to as the outer imaging section 23. The
imaging directions of the outer imaging section (left) 23a and the
outer imaging section (right) 23b are each the same as the outward
normal direction of the outer side surface 21D. The outer imaging
section (left) 23a and the outer imaging section (right) 23b can be
used as a stereo camera depending on a program executed by the game
apparatus 10. Each of the outer imaging section (left) 23a and the
outer imaging section (right) 23b includes an imaging device, such
as a CCD image sensor or a CMOS image sensor, having a common
predetermined resolution, and a lens. The lens may have a zooming
mechanism.
[0074] The inner imaging section 24 is positioned on the inner side
surface (main surface) 21B of the upper housing 21, and acts as an
imaging section which has an imaging direction which is the same
direction as the inward normal direction of the inner side surface.
The inner imaging section 24 includes an imaging device, such as a
CCD image sensor and a CMOS image sensor, having a predetermined
resolution, and a lens. The lens may have a zooming mechanism.
[0075] The 3D adjustment switch 25 is a slide switch, and is used
for switching a display mode of the upper LCD 22 as described
above. Further, the 3D adjustment switch 25 is used for adjusting
the stereoscopic effect of a stereoscopically visible image
(stereoscopic image) which is displayed on the upper LCD 22. A
slider 25a of the 3D adjustment switch 25 is slidable to any
position in a predetermined direction (along the longitudinal
direction of the right side surface), and a display mode of the
upper LCD 22 is determined in accordance with the position of the
slider 25a. Further, a manner in which the stereoscopic image is
visible is adjusted in accordance with the position of the slider
25a. Specifically, an amount of shift of the right-eye image and
the left-eye image in the horizontal direction is adjusted in
accordance with the position of the slider 25a.
[0076] The 3D indicator 26 indicates whether or not the upper LCD
22 is in the stereoscopic display mode. The 3D indicator 26 is
implemented as an LED, and is lit up when the stereoscopic display
mode of the upper LCD 22 is enabled. The 3D indicator 26 may be lit
up only when the program processing for displaying a
stereoscopically visible image is performed in a state where the
upper LCD 22 is in the stereoscopic display mode.
[0077] Further, a speaker hole 21E is provided on the inner side
surface of the upper housing 21. A sound from a speaker 43
described below is outputted through the speaker hole 21E.
[0078] (Internal Configuration of Game Apparatus 10)
[0079] Next, an internal electrical configuration of the game
apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is
a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the game
apparatus 10. As shown in FIG. 3, the game apparatus 10 includes,
in addition to the components described above, electronic
components such as an information processing section 31, a main
memory 32, an external memory interface (external memory I/F) 33,
an external data storage memory I/F 34, an internal data storage
memory 35, a wireless communication module 36, a real-time clock
(RTC) 38, an acceleration sensor 39, a power supply circuit 40, an
interface circuit (I/F circuit) 41. These electronic components are
mounted on an electronic circuit substrate, and accommodated in the
lower housing 11 (or the upper housing 21).
[0080] The information processing section 31 is information
processing means which includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 311
for executing a predetermined program, a GPU (Graphics Processing
Unit) 312 for performing image processing, and the like. The CPU
311 of the information processing section 31 executes a process
according to the program by executing a program stored in a memory
(for example, the external memory 44 connected to the external
memory I/F 33 or the internal data storage memory 35) inside the
game apparatus 10. The program executed by the CPU 311 of the
information processing section 31 may be acquired from another
device through communication with the other device. The information
processing section 31 further includes a VRAM (Video RAM) 313. The
GPU 312 of the information processing section 31 generates an image
in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 311 of the
information processing section 31, and renders the image in the
VRAM 313. The GPU 312 of the information processing section 31
outputs the image rendered in the VRAM 313, to the upper LCD 22
and/or the lower LCD 12, and the image is displayed on the upper
LCD 22 and/or the lower LCD 12.
[0081] To the information processing section 31, the main memory
32, the external memory I/F 33, the external data storage memory
I/F 34, and the internal data storage memory 35 are connected. The
external memory I/F 33 is an interface for detachably connecting to
the external memory 44. The external data storage memory I/F 34 is
an interface for detachably connecting to the external data storage
memory 45.
[0082] The main memory 32 is volatile storage means used as a work
area and a buffer area for (the CPU 311 of) the information
processing section 31. That is, the main memory 32 temporarily
stores various types of data used for the process based on the
program, and temporarily stores a program acquired from the outside
(the external memory 44, another device, or the like), for example.
In the exemplary embodiment, for example, a PSRAM (Pseudo-SRAM) is
used as the main memory 32.
[0083] The external memory 44 is nonvolatile storage means for
storing a program executed by the information processing section
31. The external memory 44 is implemented as, for example, a
read-only semiconductor memory. When the external memory 44 is
connected to the external memory I/F 33, the information processing
section 31 can load a program stored in the external memory 44. A
predetermined process is performed by the program loaded by the
information processing section 31 being executed. The external data
storage memory 45 is implemented as a non-volatile readable and
writable memory (for example, a NAND flash memory), and is used for
storing predetermined data. For example, images taken by the outer
imaging section 23 and/or images taken by another device are stored
in the external data storage memory 45. When the external data
storage memory 45 is connected to the external data storage memory
I/F 34, the information processing section 31 loads an image stored
in the external data storage memory 45, and the image can be
displayed on the upper LCD 22 and/or the lower LCD 12.
[0084] The internal data storage memory 35 is implemented as a
non-volatile readable and writable memory (for example, a NAND
flash memory), and is used for storing predetermined data. For
example, data and/or programs downloaded through wireless
communication via the wireless communication module 36 are stored
in the internal data storage memory 35.
[0085] The wireless communication module 36 has a function of
connecting to a wireless LAN by using a method based on, for
example, IEEE 802.11.b/g standard. The wireless communication
module 36 is connected to the information processing section 31.
The information processing section 31 can perform data transmission
to and data reception from another device via the Internet by using
the wireless communication module 36.
[0086] The acceleration sensor 39 is connected to the information
processing section 31. The acceleration sensor 39 detects
magnitudes of accelerations (linear accelerations) in directions of
straight lines along three axial (xyz axial) directions,
respectively. The acceleration sensor 39 is provided inside the
lower housing 11. In the acceleration sensor 39, as shown in FIG.
1, the long side direction of the lower housing 11 is defined as
the x axial direction, the short side direction of the lower
housing 11 is defined as the y axial direction, and the direction
orthogonal to the inner side surface (main surface) of the lower
housing 11 is defined as the z axial direction, thereby detecting
magnitudes of the linear accelerations for the respective axes. The
acceleration sensor 39 is, for example, an electrostatic
capacitance type acceleration sensor. However, another type of
acceleration sensor may be used. The acceleration sensor 39 may be
an acceleration sensor for detecting a magnitude of acceleration
for one axial direction or two axial directions. The information
processing section 31 can receive data (acceleration data)
representing accelerations detected by the acceleration sensor 39,
and detect an orientation and a motion of the game apparatus
10.
[0087] The RTC 38 and the power supply circuit 40 are connected to
the information processing section 31. The RTC 38 counts time and
outputs the time to the information processing section 31. The
information processing section 31 calculates a current time (date),
based on the time counted by the RTC 38. The power supply circuit
40 controls power from the power supply (the rechargeable battery
accommodated in the lower housing 11 as described above) of the
game apparatus 10, and supplies power to each component of the game
apparatus 10.
[0088] The I/F circuit 41 is connected to the information
processing section 31. The microphone 42 and the speaker 43 are
connected to the I/F circuit 41. Specifically, the speaker 43 is
connected to the I/F circuit 41 through an amplifier (not shown).
The microphone 42 detects user's voice, and outputs a sound signal
to the I/F circuit 41. The amplifier amplifies the sound signal
outputted from the I/F circuit 41, and a sound is outputted from
the speaker 43. The touch panel 13 is connected to the I/F circuit
41. The I/F circuit 41 includes a sound control circuit for
controlling the microphone 42 and the speaker 43 (amplifier), and a
touch panel control circuit for controlling the touch panel. The
sound control circuit performs A/D conversion and D/A conversion on
the sound signal, and converts the sound signal to a predetermined
form of sound data, for example. The touch panel control circuit
generates a predetermined form of touch position data, based on a
signal outputted from the touch panel 13, and outputs the touch
position data to the information processing section 31. The touch
position data represents a coordinate of a position on which an
input is made on an input surface of the touch panel 13. The touch
panel control circuit reads a signal outputted from the touch panel
13, and generates the touch position data every predetermined time.
The information processing section 31 acquires the touch position
data to recognize a position on which an input is made on the touch
panel 13.
[0089] The operation button 14 includes the operation buttons 14A
to 14L described above, and is connected to the information
processing section 31. Operation data representing an input state
of each of the operation buttons 14A to 14I is outputted from the
operation button 14 to the information processing section 31, and
the input state indicates whether or not each of the operation
buttons 14A to 14I has been pressed. The information processing
section 31 acquires the operation data from the operation button 14
to perform a process in accordance with the input on the operation
button 14.
[0090] The lower LCD 12 and the upper LCD 22 are connected to the
information processing section 31. The lower LCD 12 and the upper
LCD 22 each display an image in accordance with an instruction from
(the GPU 312 of) the information processing section 31. In the
exemplary embodiment, the information processing section 31
displays a stereoscopic image (stereoscopically visible image) on
the upper LCD 22.
[0091] Specifically, the information processing section 31 is
connected to an LCD controller (not shown) of the upper LCD 22, and
causes the LCD controller to set the parallax barrier to ON or OFF.
When the parallax barrier is set to ON in the upper LCD 22, a
right-eye image and a left-eye image, which are stored in the VRAM
313 of the information processing section 31, are outputted to the
upper LCD 22. More specifically, the LCD controller alternately
repeats reading of pixel data of the right-eye image for one line
in the vertical direction, and reading of pixel data of the
left-eye image for one line in the vertical direction, thereby
reading, from the VRAM 313, the right-eye image and the left-eye
image. Thus, an image to be displayed is divided into the right-eye
images and the left-eye images each of which is a rectangle-shaped
image having one line of pixels aligned in the vertical direction,
and an image, in which the rectangle-shaped image for the left eye
which is obtained through the division, and the rectangle-shaped
right-eye image which is obtained through the division are
alternately aligned, is displayed on the screen of the upper LCD
22. A user views the images through the parallax barrier in the
upper LCD 22, so that the right-eye image is viewed with the user's
right eye, and the left-eye image is viewed with the user's left
eye. Thus, the stereoscopically visible image is displayed on the
screen of the upper LCD 22.
[0092] The outer imaging section 23 and the inner imaging section
24 are connected to the information processing section 31. The
outer imaging section 23 and the inner imaging section 24 each take
an image in accordance with an instruction from the information
processing section 31, and output data of the taken image to the
information processing section 31.
[0093] The 3D adjustment switch 25 is connected to the information
processing section 31. The 3D adjustment switch 25 transmits to the
information processing section 31 an electrical signal in
accordance with the position of the slider 25a.
[0094] The 3D indicator 26 is connected to the information
processing section 31. The information processing section 31
controls whether or not the 3D indicator 26 is to be lit up. For
example, the information processing section 31 lights up the 3D
indicator 26 when the upper LCD 22 is in the stereoscopic display
mode.
[0095] Further, the angular velocity sensor 46 is connected to the
information processing section 31. The angular velocity sensor 46
detects an angular velocity about each axis (x axis, y axis, and z
axis). The game apparatus 10 can calculate an orientation of the
game apparatus 10 in real space, in accordance with an angular
velocity sequentially detected by the angular velocity sensor 46.
Specifically, the game apparatus 10 can calculate an angle of
rotation of the game apparatus 10 about each axis by integrating,
with time, the angular velocity about each axis, which is detected
by the angular velocity sensor 46. This is the end of the
description of the internal configuration of the game apparatus
10.
[0096] (Outline of Display Process)
[0097] Next, an outline of a display process according to an
exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to the
drawings. The game apparatus 10 is communicable with another game
apparatus, via the wireless communication module 36, by using a
method based on, for example, IEEE 802.11.b/g standard. A plurality
of the game apparatuses 10 according to the exemplary embodiment
are wirelessly connected with each other and communicate with each
other.
[0098] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a network comprising a
plurality of the game apparatuses 10 according to the exemplary
embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, a game apparatus 10A is connected
with each of a game apparatus 10B, a game apparatus 10C, and a game
apparatus 10D. The game apparatus 10A receives/transmits data
from/to the respective game apparatuses 10B to 10D. For example,
the game apparatus 10A serves as a master while the other game
apparatuses 10B to 10D serve as clients. A client transmits data to
another client via the master and the master distributes
predetermined data to each client.
[0099] Here, the strength of a signal received (RSSI; Received
Signal Strength Indication) by the game apparatus 10A varies
depending on a positional relationship between the game apparatus
10A and each of the game apparatuses 10B to 10D and an object that
exists between the apparatus 10A and each of the game apparatuses
10B to 10D.
[0100] Specifically, for example, when a distance between the game
apparatus 10A and the game apparatus 10B is relatively short, an
RSSI value of a signal from the game apparatus 10B becomes great.
When a distance between the game apparatus 10A and the game
apparatus 10C is relatively short, an RSSI value of a signal from
the game apparatus 10C becomes great. Meanwhile, when a distance
between the game apparatus 10A and the game apparatus 10D is
relatively long, an RSSI value of a signal from the game apparatus
10D becomes small. In this situation, the game apparatus 10
according to the exemplary embodiment integrates reception
conditions (reception conditions of radio waves) of the signals
from the respective apparatuses and displays the integrated
reception conditions as a single reception condition (comprehensive
reception condition) on a screen.
[0101] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an icon 50 representing a
comprehensive reception condition displayed on the upper LCD 22 of
the game apparatus 10 according to the exemplary embodiment. As
shown in FIG. 5, on the upper LCD 22 of the game apparatus 10A, for
example, an icon 50 representing a comprehensive reception
condition of the game apparatus 10A is displayed. The icon 50 is,
for example, an image representing a plurality of antennas. The
greater the number (1 to 4) of antennas shown by the icon 50 is,
the better the comprehensive reception condition of the game
apparatus 10A indicated becomes.
[0102] For example, when RSSI values of signals from all of the
apparatuses are high, the number of antennas of the icon 50 is
four. That is, when all of an RSSI value of a signal from the game
apparatus 10B, an RSSI value of a signal from the game apparatus
10C, and an RSSI value of a signal from the game apparatus 10D,
which have been received by the game apparatus 10A are great, the
number of antennas of the icon 50 is four. Further, for example,
when the RSSI value of the signal from the game apparatus 10B and
the RSSI value of the signal from the game apparatus 10C are great
while the RSSI value of the signal from the game apparatus 10D is
small, the number of antenna of the icon 50 is three.
[0103] FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of the game apparatus
10 according to the exemplary embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the
game apparatus 10 includes a reception section 60, a sorting
section 61, a first calculation section 62, a second calculation
section 63, and a correction/display control section 64.
[0104] The reception section 60 receives signals from other
apparatuses. The sorting section 61 sorts the received signals by
apparatus. The first calculation section 62 calculates the received
signal strength (RSSI values) of the signals sorted by apparatus by
the sorting section 61.
[0105] Specifically, the first calculation section 62 calculates an
average RSSI value based on the signals sorted by the sorting
section 61. The strength of signals from each apparatus varies
depending on the peripheral environment, noise, and the like, and
thus the first calculation section 62 calculates an average RSSI
value of signals received from each apparatus in a predetermined
time period. The average RSSI value calculated as above represents
the reception condition of signals from each corresponding
apparatus.
[0106] By using the average RSSI values of the respective
apparatuses calculated by the first calculation section 62, the
second calculation section 63 calculates a value obtained by
consolidating these RSSI values. Specifically, the second
calculation section 63 calculates a total of the average RSSI
values calculated by the first calculation section 62 and divides
the total by the number of apparatuses, thereby calculating an
average value of the average RSSI values of the respective
apparatuses. The average value calculated as above indicates the
reception condition (comprehensive reception condition) which
comprehensively represents the reception conditions of the
respective apparatuses.
[0107] The correction/display control section 64 determines a value
(e.g. an integer value of 1 to 4) that represents the number of
antennas of the icon 50 based on the average value calculated by
the second calculation section 63 and corrects the value
representing the number of antennas. For example, the
correction/display control section 64 determines whether each of
the average RSSI values calculated by the first calculation section
62 is smaller than or equal to a predetermined value. When there is
an apparatus with respect to which a result of the determination is
affirmative, the correction/display control section 64 deducts one
from the value (e.g. an integer value of 1 to 4) representing the
number of antennas determined based on the average value calculated
by the second calculation section 63, thereby correcting the value.
Subsequently, the correction/display control section 64 causes the
display section (e.g. the upper LCD 22) to display the icon 50 in
accordance with the corrected value.
[0108] As described above, the game apparatus 10 according to the
exemplary embodiment sorts signals from the respective apparatuses
by apparatus, and calculates the received signal strength
(reception condition) of each apparatus. The game apparatus 10
calculates an integrated reception condition (comprehensive
reception condition) of the apparatuses by using the received
signal strengths of the respective apparatuses. Subsequently, the
game apparatus 10 displays the icon 50 representing the
comprehensive reception condition on the screen.
[0109] (Details of Display Process)
[0110] Next, details of the display process performed by the game
apparatuses 10 will be described. In the following, a process
performed by the game apparatus 10A is described as an example.
However, the same process is performed by each of the other game
apparatuses 10. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a
memory (e.g. the main memory 32) of the game apparatus 10.
[0111] As shown in FIG. 7, the memory of the game apparatus 10A
includes an area for storing a display control program 71, an RSSI
value storage area 72, and a reception condition storage area 73.
The display control program 71 is a program for executing a display
control process described later. The RSSI value storage area 72
stores RSSI values of received signals for each apparatus. In the
RSSI value storage area 72, an area is allocated for each apparatus
and the RSSI values are stored in corresponding areas allocated for
the respective apparatuses. More specifically, arrays (72b and 72c)
each having a given length for storing the RSSI values are provided
for the respective apparatuses. For example, when the game
apparatus 10A receives a signal from the game apparatus 10B, the
RSSI value of the signal is stored in the array 72b provided for
the game apparatus 10B in chronological order. The reception
condition storage area 73 stores reception conditions of signals
from the respective game apparatuses. For example, when the game
apparatus 10A receives signals from the game apparatuses 10B and
10C, the reception condition storage area 73 stores a reception
condition (average RSSI value) of the signals from the game
apparatus 10B and a reception condition (average RSSI value) of
signals from the game apparatus 10C.
[0112] FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating a flow of the display
process executed by the game apparatus 10A. When the game apparatus
10A is powered on, the information processing section 31 (CPU 311)
of the game apparatus 10A executes a start-up program stored in an
ROM (not shown) to initialize each unit such as the main memory 32.
Then, a program stored in the ROM is loaded to a memory
(specifically, the main memory 32), and the CPU 311 of the
information processing section 31 starts executing the program. The
flow chart of FIG. 8 illustrates the process performed by the
information processing section 31 after the above-described
processing is completed. Process steps S1 to S8 shown in FIG. 8 are
performed at predetermined time intervals.
[0113] Firstly, at step S1, the information processing section 31
receives signals (frames) from the respective game apparatuses.
Specifically, the information processing section 31 accesses the
wireless communication module 36 to receive frames transmitted from
the respective game apparatuses. Further at step S1, when the
information processing section 31 receives a signal from a certain
game apparatus, the information processing section 31 sets a value
T representing an elapsed time from the reception of the signal
from the certain game apparatus to 0 and stores the value T in the
memory. The memory stores the value T representing the elapsed time
for each game apparatus. That is, the memory stores, a value TB
representing an elapsed time from the reception of a signal from
the game apparatus 10B, a value TC representing an elapsed time
from the reception of a signal from the game apparatus 10C, and a
value TD representing an elapsed time from the reception of a
signal from the game apparatus 10D. For example, at step S1, when
the information processing section 31 receives a signal from the
game apparatus 10B and receives no signal from the game apparatus
10C and the game apparatus 10D, the information processing section
31 sets the value TB representing an elapsed time from the
reception of the signal from the game apparatus 10B to 0. In this
case, the information processing section 31 updates the value TC
representing the elapsed time of the game apparatus 10C and the
value TD representing the elapsed time of the game apparatus 10D
without setting the values TC and TD to 0. Specifically, the
information processing section 31 adds a time elapsed from a time
when the process step S1 is performed in the immediately preceding
cycle to a time when the process step S1 is performed in the
current cycle to each of the values TC and TD stored in the memory,
thereby updating the values TC and TD. Subsequently, the
information processing section 31 performs the process step S2.
[0114] At step S2, the information processing section 31 obtains an
RSSI value (received signal strength) of the signal received at
step S1. Specifically, the information processing section 31
accesses the wireless communication module 36 and obtains the RSSI
value of the signal received at step S1. Subsequently, the
information processing section 31 performs the process step S3.
[0115] At step S3, the information processing section 31 sorts the
RSSI values obtained at step S2 by game apparatus. For example,
when the information processing section 31 receives a signal from
the game apparatus 10B at step S1 and obtains an RSSI value of the
signal from the game apparatus 10B at step S2, the information
processing section 31 stores the RSSI value in the array 72b of the
RSSI value storage area 72. Subsequently, the information
processing section 31 performs the process step S4.
[0116] At step S4, the information processing section 31 calculates
a reception condition of each apparatus. Specifically, the
information processing section 31 obtains the RSSI values of the
respective game apparatuses stored in the RSSI value storage area
72, and calculates an average value of the RSSI values of each
apparatus. More specifically, the information processing section 31
obtains the RSSI values stored in respective elements of the array
72b, and calculates an average of the RSSI values. Then, the
information processing section 31 stores the calculated average
RSSI value in the reception condition storage area 73 as a
reception condition of the signals from the game apparatus 10B.
Further, the information processing section 31 obtains the RSSI
values stored in respective elements of array 72c, and calculates
an average of the RSSI values. Then, the information processing
section 31 stores the calculated average RSSI value in the
reception condition storage area 73 as a reception condition of the
signals from the game apparatus 10C. As described above, the
information processing section 31 calculates the reception
condition of signals from each of the respective apparatuses. Next,
the information processing section 31 performs the process step
S5.
[0117] At step S5, the information processing section 31 calculates
an average value of the reception conditions (the average RSSI
values) of the respective apparatuses calculated at step S4.
Specifically, the information processing section 31 obtains the
average RSSI values of the respective apparatuses, excluding the
apparatus from which no signal has been received for a
predetermined time period, stored in the reception condition
storage area 73, and calculates an average value of the obtained
values. More specifically, the information processing section 31
obtains the average RSSI values of the respective apparatuses
excluding the apparatus whose value T representing the elapsed time
stored in the memory is greater than or equal to a predetermined
value. For example, when the predetermined value is set to 10
seconds, that is, TB=0, TC=2, TD=10.5, the information processing
section 31 calculates an average value using the values of the game
apparatus 10B and the game apparatus 10C, excluding the game
apparatus 10D. Specifically, the information processing section 31
calculates an average value (for example, -35 dBm) of the
respective reception conditions by using the average RSSI value
(for example, -30 dBm) of the game apparatus 10B and the average
RSSI value (for example, -40 dBm) of the game apparatus 10C. The
average value calculated as above represents an integrated
reception condition of the respective apparatuses, and
comprehensively represents the reception conditions of the signals
from the respective apparatuses. Next, the information processing
section 31 performs the process step S6.
[0118] At step S6, the information processing section 31 quantizes
the average value calculated at step S5. Specifically, the
information processing section 31 calculates, for example, an
integer value (range of 1 to 4) based on the average value
calculated at step S5. Next, the information processing section 31
performs the process step S7.
[0119] At step S7, the information processing section 31 executes a
correction process. Specifically, the information processing
section 31 compares each of the average RSSI values of the
respective apparatuses calculated at step S4 with a predetermined
threshold, and determines whether there is any apparatus whose
average RSSI value is smaller than or equal to the predetermined
threshold. When there is an apparatus whose RSSI value is smaller
than or equal to the predetermined threshold, the information
processing section 31 deducts one from the integer value calculated
at step S6. Next, the information processing section 31 performs
the process step S8.
[0120] At step S8, the information processing section 31 executes a
display process. Specifically, the information processing section
31 generates an image of the icon 50 based on the value corrected
at step S7 and causes the image to be displayed on the upper LCD
22. For example, when the value corrected at step S7 is four, the
information processing section 31 generates an image of the icon 50
indicated by four antennas and causes the image to be displayed on
the upper LCD 22. This is the end of the description of the flow
chart shown in FIG. 8.
[0121] As described above, in the exemplary embodiment, average
RSSI values (values representing reception conditions of signals
from the respective apparatuses) of the respective apparatuses are
calculated based on the signals received from the respective
apparatuses. Then, an average value (a value representing a
comprehensive reception condition) is further calculated by using
the calculated average RSSI values. Subsequently, an image of the
icon 50 is generated based on the calculated average value and
displayed. For example, when the reception conditions of the
signals from all of the apparatuses are good, four antennas are
displayed. Such a displayed icon indicates the reception condition
of the signals from the respective apparatuses integrated by the
game apparatuses 10 and represents the reception conditions of the
signals from the respective apparatuses comprehensively. As
described above, by showing the reception conditions of the
respective apparatuses comprehensively, users of the respective
game apparatuses 10 are allowed to know the condition of radio
waves of the entire network. For example, when a single game is
played by exchanging data among the game apparatuses 10A to 10D,
the data need to be shared among the apparatuses. In this case,
each user can determine whether the current environment is suitable
for a network game from a display of the condition of the radio
waves of the entire network.
[0122] Further, in the exemplary embodiment, the calculated
comprehensive reception condition (the average value calculated at
step S5) is quantized to represent the condition in four steps and
corrected. Accordingly, for example, when the average value
calculated at step S5 is relatively great, even if there is an
apparatus whose reception condition is excessively poor, the
reception condition of the entire network can be represented
comprehensively by taking into account the reception condition of
such an apparatus.
[0123] (Modification)
[0124] In the exemplary embodiment, an average RSSI value is
calculated as a reception condition of each apparatus. In another
embodiment, an average error rate may be calculated for each
apparatus. That is, in another embodiment, an average error rate of
a certain apparatus may be calculated as a reception condition of
the apparatus. For example, when the game apparatus 10 receives a
plurality of frames from a certain apparatus, the game apparatus 10
can obtain the total number of frames transmitted from the
apparatus and the number of frames having not been received by the
game apparatus 10 based on the sequence numbers contained in the
respective frames. Then, the game apparatus 10 deducts the number
of frames having not been received from the total number, and
thereby calculates an error rate of the apparatus.
[0125] In other words, the reception condition of signals from a
certain apparatus is in accordance with a reception level of the
signals from the apparatus. The reception condition may be, for
example, an average RSSI value of the signals from the apparatus,
or may be an average error rate of the signals from the
apparatus.
[0126] Further, in the exemplary embodiment, reception conditions
of the apparatuses are calculated, respectively, and values
(average RSSI values) representing the calculated respective
reception conditions are averaged, and thereby a comprehensive
reception condition comprehensively representing the reception
conditions of the apparatuses is calculated. In another embodiment,
a comprehensive reception condition may be calculated based on a
ratio of apparatuses whose calculated reception conditions satisfy
a predetermined reference value to all of the calculated reception
conditions. Then, the number of antennas to be displayed may be
determined based on the calculated comprehensive reception
condition. For example, when the game apparatus 10A communicates
with four apparatuses, if there are three apparatuses whose average
RSSI values are greater than or equal to a predetermined reference
value, the ratio of apparatuses which satisfy the predetermined
reference value is 3/4. Accordingly, in this case, the icon 50
represented by three antennas out of four antennas may be displayed
on the screen.
[0127] Further, in another embodiment, the poorest reception
condition of the calculated reception conditions of the respective
apparatuses may be selected, and the selected reception condition
may be calculated as the comprehensive reception condition. For
example, when the game apparatus 10A communicates with the game
apparatuses 10B to 10D, if a value (average RSSI value)
representing a reception condition of signals from the game
apparatus 10D is the poorest, the reception condition of the game
apparatus 10D may be calculated as a comprehensive reception
condition which is an integrated reception condition of all of the
apparatuses.
[0128] Further, in another embodiment, any of the calculated
reception conditions (average RSSI values) of the apparatuses is
selected time-sequentially, and the selected reception condition
may be calculated as the comprehensive reception condition.
Specifically, for example, at a certain time point, the reception
condition of the game apparatus 10B among the reception conditions
of the game apparatuses 10B to 10D may be selected, and after a
predetermined time period elapses, the reception condition of the
game apparatus 10C may be selected. As described above, the
apparatus to be selected may be switched over time. Then, the
selected reception condition may be calculated as the comprehensive
reception condition and the icon 50 may be displayed based on the
calculated comprehensive reception condition.
[0129] Further, in the exemplary embodiment, when there is any
apparatus whose average RSSI value is smaller than or equal to the
predetermined threshold in the above correction process, one is
deducted from the value quantized at step S6. In another
embodiment, the correction process may be any process. For example,
the number of apparatuses whose values representing the reception
conditions are smaller than or equal to a predetermined threshold
may be deducted from the quantize value as the correction process.
Alternatively, for example, an unquantized value (an average value
of the average RSSI values) may be corrected.
[0130] Further, in the exemplary embodiment, the comprehensive
reception condition is calculated by simply calculating an average
value of the calculated reception conditions (average RSSI values).
In another embodiment, an average may be calculated after assigning
weighting to the respective apparatuses. For example, the reception
conditions are assigned weighting so that greater weighting is
assigned to the reception condition of a specific apparatus among
the plurality of apparatuses than those of the others of the
plurality of apparatuses, and an average may be calculated. For
example, the game apparatus 10B serving as the client communicates
frequently with the game apparatus 10A serving as the master, while
it is less frequent for the game apparatus 10B to directly
communicate with the game apparatus 10C which is another client. In
this case, in the game apparatus 10B, the reception conditions are
assigned weighting so that greater weighting is assigned to the
reception condition of the game apparatus 10A serving as the master
than those of the others of the plurality of apparatuses, and an
average of the respectively weighted reception conditions may be
calculated.
[0131] Further, in another embodiment, when weighting is assigned
to the respective apparatuses and an average is calculated, the
weighting for the respective apparatuses may be calculated by using
any method. For example, a variance of the RSSI values (the RSSI
values of the respective signals stored in the RSSI value storage
area 72) of each apparatus or the error rates stored for each
apparatus may be calculated, and weighting may be assigned so as to
be lighter as the variance of the apparatus is greater.
Accordingly, weighting for the apparatus in an unstable
communication status can be lighter, and thus an effect of the
apparatus on a comprehensive reception condition to be calculated
can be reduced.
[0132] Further, in another embodiment, when weighting is assigned
to the respective apparatuses and an average is calculated, a value
of weighting for each apparatus may be reduced in accordance with
an elapsed time from the reception of a signal from each apparatus.
For example, weighting assigned to the reception condition (average
RSSI value) of the game apparatus 10B may be reduced in accordance
with an elapsed time from the reception of a signal from the game
apparatus 10B.
[0133] Further, in the above exemplary embodiment, the
comprehensive reception condition is calculated by excluding the
reception condition of the apparatus with respect to which a
predetermined time period elapses from the reception of a signal
from the apparatus. In another embodiment, predetermined data may
be transmitted to the apparatus from which no signal has been
received for a predetermined time period in order to receive a
response from the apparatus. For example, when the predetermined
time period elapses from when the game apparatus 10A receives a
signal from the game apparatus 10B, the game apparatus 10A
transmits a predetermined signal to the game apparatus 10B. When
the game apparatus 10A receives a response for the signal from the
game apparatus 10B, the game apparatus 10A calculates the
comprehensive reception condition without excluding the game
apparatus 10B. Meanwhile, when there is no response from the game
apparatus 10B, the game apparatus 10A calculates the comprehensive
reception condition based on the reception conditions of the other
apparatuses except the game apparatus 10B. Further, in another
embodiment, the game apparatus 10A may periodically transmit a
predetermined signal and each of the other apparatuses may return a
response for the signal to the game apparatus 10A.
[0134] In the above exemplary embodiment, with respect to the
received signals (frames), the RSSI values of the signals are
sorted by apparatus. In another embodiment, the RSSI values may be
sorted not only by apparatus but also by signal type (type of
frame). Here, the signal type may indicate, for example, a
destination. For example, the signal types may be sorted based on
whether they are broadcast data (data transmitted by broadcast) or
unicast data (data transmitted by unicast). Alternatively, the
signal types may be sorted based on their frame types (management
frame, data frame, or control frame).
[0135] FIG. 9 is diagram illustrating a memory map of the game
apparatus 10 in another embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, the memory
of the game apparatus 10A includes an RSSI value storage area 82
and RSSI values are stored for each apparatus and signal type.
Specifically, array 821B for storing RSSI values of signals
transmitted by broadcast from the game apparatus 10B, and array
822B for storing RSSI values of signals transmitted by unicast from
the game apparatus 10B are provided. In addition, array 821C for
storing RSSI values of signals transmitted by broadcast from the
game apparatus 10C and array 822C for storing RSSI values of
signals transmitted by unicast from the game apparatus 10C are
provided. For example, when a signal (frame) received by the game
apparatus 10A is a signal transmitted from the game apparatus 10B
and is broadcast data, an RSSI value of the signal is stored in the
array 821B. Accordingly, received signals are sorted by apparatus
and signal type. Next, an average value of the RSSI values stored
in each array is calculated and thereby the reception condition of
each sorted group is calculated. Specifically, an average value
(average RSSI value AV1) of the RSSI values stored in the array
821B, an average value (average RSSI value AV2) of the RSSI values
stored in the array 822B, an average value (average RSSI value AV3)
of the RSSI values stored in the array 821C, and an average value
(average RSSI value AV4) of the RSSI values stored in the array
822C are calculated. Then, an average of the calculated respective
average RSSI values is further calculated and thereby a
comprehensive reception condition is calculated. At this time, the
average RSSI values (AV1 to AV4) of the respective sorted groups
may be weighted and an average of the weighted average RSSI values
may be calculated. For example, weighting to the average RSSI
values (AV2 and AV4) of unicast data may be assigned so as to be
heavier than that of the average RSSI values (AV1 and AV3) of
broadcast data.
[0136] Further, in the embodiment in which the RSSI values are
sorted based on whether they are unicast data or broadcast data as
described above, quantization is performed for each sorted group
and an average value of respective quantized values may be
calculated, thereby calculating a comprehensive reception
condition. In this case, for example, a reference for quantizing
unicast data may be different from a reference for quantizing
broadcast data. For example, if an average RSSI value of broadcast
data is quantized to "three," when the average RSSI value is within
a predetermined range, an average RSSI value of unicast data may be
quantized to "four," if the average RSSI value is within the
predetermined range. Even in a relatively poor reception condition,
the unicast data is retransmitted in case of failure of data
reception/transmission. Thus, relatively stable communication can
be maintained. Accordingly, even in a relatively poor reception
condition, data are allowed to be handled assuming a good reception
condition.
[0137] Further, in the above exemplary embodiment, an average value
of the respective reception conditions (average RSSI values) is
calculated as the comprehensive reception condition and
quantization is performed based on the average value. In another
embodiment, each of the average RSSI values may be quantized and an
average of the respective quantized values may be calculated, and
thereby a comprehensive reception condition may be calculated.
Specifically, in another embodiment, an average RSSI value of each
apparatus may be quantized and the comprehensive reception
condition may be calculated by using the respective quantized
values. In this case, a reference for quantizing the average RSSI
value may be different for each apparatus.
[0138] Further, in the above exemplary embodiment, the icon 50
representing the comprehensive reception condition is displayed on
the upper LCD 22. In another embodiment, a method of informing a
user of a calculated comprehensive reception condition is not
limited to the icon 50 represented by antennas as described above
and may be any method. For example, letters indicating a
comprehensive reception condition may be displayed on the upper LCD
22 or the lower LCD 12. Alternatively, the user may be informed of
a comprehensive reception condition by another method such as
sound, or the like.
[0139] Further, in the above exemplary embodiment, an example of a
single network comprising the game apparatuses 10A to 10D is shown.
In another embodiment, the game apparatus 10 may be connected to a
plurality of networks and a comprehensive reception condition of
each network may be calculated and displayed. Specifically, for
example, the game apparatus 10P may belong to the network
comprising the game apparatuses 10A to 10D and also belong to a
network comprising the game apparatuses 10X to 10Z. In this case,
the game apparatus 10P receives signals from the respective game
apparatuses 10A to 10D, and also receives signals from the
respective game apparatuses 10X to 10Z. On the game apparatus 10P,
an icon representing a comprehensive reception condition of the
network comprising the game apparatuses 10A to 10D and an icon
representing a comprehensive reception condition of the network
comprising the game apparatuses 10X to 10Z may be displayed.
[0140] Further, in another embodiment, a part of or all of the
above described processing may be performed by a single or a
plurality of dedicated circuits. Alternatively, the above described
processing may be performed by a plurality of computers (the CPU
311, a processing section in the wireless communication module 36,
and the like) included in the game apparatus 10. Further, different
apparatuses may perform the respective processing, and thereby an
information processing system that realizes the above described
display method may be configured.
[0141] The above described display method may be applied not only
to the game apparatus 10 but also to other information processors
such as a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a highly-functional
mobile phone having a wireless LAN function, a personal computer
having a wireless communication function, an information processor
that can communicate with other apparatuses by a unique
communication method.
[0142] While certain example systems, methods, devices and
apparatuses have been described herein, it is to be understood that
the appended claims are not to be limited to the systems, methods,
devices and apparatuses disclosed, but on the contrary, are
intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements
included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *